Victory target against Costa Rica for USA at Copa America Centenario

vor 2 Stunden After defeat in their opening game, USA are seeking all three points against Costa Rica.

Summary

USA face Costa Rica in Chicago.

Hosts lost to Colombia in opening Group A game.

Klinsmann's men currently bottom of Group A.

Copa America Centenario hosts USA will be targeting nothing less than a victory when they take on Costa Rica in Group A on Tuesday.

The USMNT lost 2-0 to Colombia in their opening game at the weekend and sit bottom of the group, but will feel confident of reaching the knockout rounds of the competition with a positive result against Los Ticos, particularly if their Bundesliga quartet can hit their stride.

John Anthony Brooks (Hertha Berlin) had a pass completion rate of 93.7 per cent against the Colombians and generally performed well, but the onus will be on the home side to attack at Soldier Field, Chicago. FC Union Berlin striker Bobby Wood, who netted 17 times in Bundesliga 2 in 2015/16, is aiming for his first goal of the tournament, while Fabian Johnson of Borussia Mönchengladbach will look to assist him with his customary forays forward.

Has Dortmund's Pulisic done enough to earn a starting role?

Head coach Jürgen Klinsmann also has an ace up his sleeve in Borussia Dortmund starlet Christian Pulisic, who enjoyed an impressive cameo from the substitutes’ bench in the opening match.

The US will be favourites but Costa Rica, who drew with Paraguay in their first game, will nevertheless present a stern test for Klinsmann’s charges. “I think we can expect a very aggressive team,” Brooks told ussoccer.com. “There will be a lot of physical battles but we’re prepared for that.”

In the group’s other game, FC Ingolstadt 04’s Dario Lezcano will spearhead Paraguay’s attack against group leaders Colombia at the Rosebowl in Pasadena, California.